Forest Science

Guimarães, Zilza Thayane Matos; de Lima Lopes, Lariany Falcão; Ferreira, Marciel José

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00010-8pmid: N/A

The productivity of forest plantations depends on seedling quality and conditions at the planting site. We evaluated the effect of initial seedling size (proxy of seedling quality) on stem volume, biomass accumulation, and stem quality (forked stems) using two planting site preparation methods: manual hole preparation (manual pit opening) and mechanical site preparation (subsoiling + harrowing), and for three Amazon tree species (Bertholletia excelsa, Dipteryx odorata and Tachigali vulgaris). Three years after planting, stem volume and total biomass were 8 and 6 times greater, respectively, in T. vulgaris than in B. excelsa and D. odorata. Only in B. excelsa were biomass accumulation and increased biomass and stem volume explained by seedling size and site preparation methods. The larger B. excelsa seedlings achieved greater biomass and stem volume only with mechanical site preparation. For D. odorata larger seedlings grew more independently of the site preparation method. Planting site affected the quality of T. vulgaris trees. The incidence of forked trees was 61.6 and 21.3% for mechanical site and manual hole preparation, respectively. Our findings demonstrate the importance of developing species-specific plantation practices for successful growth and establishment of Amazonian tree species.

Samarasinghe, B. R. Chandima P.; Jayasuriya, K. M. G. Gehan; Gunaratne, A. M. Thilanka A.; Dixon, Kingsley W.

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00009-1pmid: N/A

Seed conservation is vital for restoring wild species, as seeds often mature in the dry season, while restoration happens in the rainy season. Limited seed biology knowledge hampers these efforts. Thus, this study evaluated the storability of thirteen tropical rainforest species from Sri Lanka. Effect of storage at 25, 8 and -20 °C on seed viability and vigour was determined. Seed viability retained 100% in Sonerila rhombifolia and Exacum trinervium when stored at 8 °C for 12 months. Seeds of Melastoma malabathricum showed a nearly 50% increase in germination after storage at 8 °C. Viability of other species was reduced to different extents in all the storage temperatures. Results showed that seeds of five desiccation-sensitive species could be stored only for a very short period where the highest viability was obtained for the seeds stored at 25 °C. The reduction of vigour of seeds of these species occurs before reduction of germinability which could affect restoration activities as most of the restoration sites have suboptimal conditions for germination. The above information can be applied in forest-based restoration activities and the production of seedlings in nurseries.

Loehle, Craig

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00007-3pmid: N/A

To assess the carbon benefits of wood product use, this study utilized a typical stand growth model, time-in-use estimates for wood products, known decay rates of wood products in landfills, and literature values for substitution effects and a 100-year simulation using typical values. For a fast-growing forest, parity for structural lumber was achieved at about 22 years and for paper and biofuel at around 40 years. After parity, more carbon is sequestered or substituted by using wood rather than via land sparing. For a slow-growing forest, curve shapes and relationships remained the same, but stretched out to longer times. Assuming a higher fossil fuel substitution value (0.8 vs. 0.5) led to earlier parity. The proper starting point for considering benefits is not year zero (the present, looking forward) but at least many decades in the past because the use of wood products and the consequent storage of carbon in landfills has a long history. From this perspective, structural lumber has achieved parity with set-asides under all growth conditions many decades ago and is now an asset. Paper and biofuel have passed or almost passed parity for fast-growing forests. Set asides also take time to reach full biomass levels.

Queijeiro-Bolaños, Mónica E.; Ávila-Licona, Violeta; Cano-Santana, Zenón

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00001-9pmid: N/A

Dwarf mistletoes are important forest parasites that negatively affect host performance but positively contribute to community biodiversity. The dual parasitism observed in central Mexico, where Arceuthobium globosum and A. vaginatum share hosts, influences the population dynamics of both dwarf mistletoe species. This study aims to evaluate the impact of co-infection, where both dwarf mistletoe species parasitize the same host tree, on seed production. Seed production of mistletoes, with and without co-infection by the other species, was compared, along with the effect of tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and mistletoe dry weight on seed production. Co-infection significantly affected seed production; A. globosum produced more seeds alone, while A. vaginatum showed increased seed production in the presence of the other species. Both mistletoes benefited from larger tree dbh and mistletoe dry weight in terms of seed production. Interspecific interactions play a crucial role in dwarf mistletoe reproduction, influencing seed production and altering population dynamics. This has implications for management planning, as these interactions can either inhibit or facilitate seed production, thereby shaping the overall dynamics of dwarf mistletoe populations.

Bruck, Sonia R.; Kilgore, Michael A.; Henderson, Jesse D.; Frey, Gregory E.

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00003-7pmid: N/A

The frequency of tracts of timber offered for sale that do not receive any bids, also known as no-bids, is a concern for public land managers. No-bids can delay forest management and result in lost revenue to federal and state agencies. We used data collected by the USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to assess the impact of appraisal adjustments on the appraised value of federal and state timber tracts offered for sale in Minnesota and quantify the impact of appraisal characteristics on the likelihood of a sale. We found that Forest Service appraisers are adjusting appraisal values sufficiently to the point where buyers are indifferent between sales at different price points. However, MN DNR appraisers appear to not have had sufficient adjustments, because buyers are more likely to buy higher-valued sale offerings. This study is the first to assess adjustment factors on no-bid sales, as well as assess some sale characteristics that result in successive no-bids.

Fioroni, Facundo; Carrón, Ayelén I.; Mancilla, Matías A. Soto; Pastorino, Mario; Fernández, Natalia V.

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00011-7pmid: N/A

Despite the environmental and economic advantages of mixed plantations over monospecific ones, their implementation remains limited due to a lack of comprehensive understanding. Soil microorganisms, particularly root-associated fungi, have the potential to enhance plant fitness. In this study, we examined the effects of soil origin (native forest/pine plantation), cultivation type (monospecific/mixed), and the application of a commercial ectomycorrhizal inoculant on the growth and root-associated fungi (ectomycorrhizal fungi -EcMF- and root endophytic fungi -REF-) in seedlings of two important forestry species, Nothofagus obliqua (native) and Pinus ponderosa (non-native). Both species showed greater growth in forest soil, likely due to its higher nutrient content. In the plantation soil, seedlings in mixed cultures outperformed those in monospecific ones. The commercial inoculant had a positive effect on P. ponderosa but a negative impact on N. obliqua. Each forestry species had greater ectomycorrhizal abundance in their respective soil of origin, but EcMF richness and diversity were higher in the plantation soil. REF were more abundant in plantation soil. Notably, some EcMF demonstrated growth-promoting capabilities. Our findings highlight the potential of co-cultivating N. obliqua and P. ponderosa, whether for commercial or ecological restoration purposes, and underscore the importance of considering root associated fungi during the process.

Jankowska, Agnieszka; Ozyhar, Tomasz

doi: 10.1007/s44391-024-00005-5pmid: N/A

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of calcium fertilization on wood structure and density of Eucalyptus grandis trees grown in two different commercial plantations in Colombia. Wood samples were collected from trees grown at two different sites and were fertilized with calcium at different application rates variants. Wood density was determined using stereometric methods and X-ray computed tomography (CT), while diameter at breast high (dbh) measurements were taken to assess tree diameter. The wood microstructure were examined using image analysis software, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to investigate spectral differences in wood composition. The results indicated that neither plantation site nor calcium fertilization treatment significantly affected wood density. The average density was 522 ± 27 kg/m3. X-ray CT analysis revealed radial variation in wood density, with higher density towards the pith and lower density towards the bark. Dbh measurements demonstrated significant differences between samples from the two sites, which are hypothesized to be attributed to site specific conditions rather than fertilization. Microstructural analysis unveiled consistent radial variation patterns in fiber wall thickness and vessel diameter regardless of the origin of the wood.